NGWA Event and Education Recordings Archive

More than 1.7 million Virginians (22% of the population) rely on private water supplies such as wells, springs, and cisterns. Many of these private water supply users lack access to objective information about protecting and maintaining their systems and often wait to take action until a problem arises. This presentation will provide an overview of two linked Virginia Cooperative Extension programs: the Virginia Household Water Quality Program (VAHWQP) and the Virginia Master Well Owner Network (VAMWON). Through VAMWON, Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) extension educators/agents and screened volunteers are trained in topics including wellhead protection, system maintenance, and water testing, treatment, and conservation. VAMWON members then reach out to other Virginians through drinking water clinics conducted through local extension offices and other informal outreach mechanisms. Since 2008, 54 extension agents and 85 volunteers have completed VAMWON training workshops. From 2008 to 2012, VAHWQP drinking water clinics were held in 70 counties across Virginia, reaching more than 7000 participants.

This presentation will summarize impacts, key partnerships, discuss lessons learned and resources developed, and provide an overview of water quality sample analysis results. We will also discuss future directions for these successful programs, including efforts to strengthen research initiatives connecting human health and private water supplies, targeted outreach to underserved populations, and our new WellCheck initiative: a partnership with the Virginia Water Well Association to develop and market affordable, standardized well inspections for homeowners across Virginia.